Nitrogen hypoxia (inert gas asphyxiation) is an execution method that induces death by forcing the condemned prisoner to inhale pure, unoxygenated nitrogen gas through a sealed full-face mask. By completely displacing breathable oxygen from the respiratory tract, the procedure induces rapid arterial deoxygenation and fatal cerebral anoxia. Originally proposed as a humane, painless alternative when … Read more
It is thought that altogether around 505 women were put to death in America between 1608 and 1900. My friend Rob Gallagher’s excellent “Before the Needles” website details the names, crimes, race, and other details of 317 of these women whose executions can be fully verified (link to this site at the end of this … Read more
Historical Background In total, it is thought that around 372 women have been lawfully executed in America since 1632. This constitutes about 2.4% of the 15,500 or so total executions. See a full list of pre-Furman executions compiled from the Watt Espy files. Most of these executions were by hanging (306, including eight juveniles). However, … Read more
The USA’s last fully public hanging took place at Owensboro on Friday, August 14, 1936, when 22-year-old Rainey Bethea was put to death for the rape and murder of 70-year-old Lischia Edwards. Florence Thompson was the sheriff. She had taken over the job from her husband, Everett, some three months earlier after he had died … Read more
Christina Marie Riggs is unique among the women on these pages in that she insisted on her execution, which took place on May 3, 2000. She was the first woman to be executed in Arkansas since the state took over responsibility for executions in 1913, and only the fifth nationwide since 1977. She confessed to … Read more
